British MP loses position over Nazi-themed party

British MP Aidan Burley was removed from his position as a ministerial aide after he was photographed at a Nazi-themed party.

Photos in The Mail on Sunday last week showed the Cannock Chase MP at at a stag party in France where one man was dressed as a Nazi.

Burley, 32, then wrote a letter of apology to the Jewish Chronicle. In his letter he said:

On reflection, I wish I had left as soon as I had realised what was happening. What was happening was wrong and I should have completely dissociated myself from it. I had a choice, and I made the wrong choice NOT to leave. I apologise for this error of judgment.

Whilst being so far away from home made leaving early more difficult, that is what I should have done. I want to make it clear that I have the upmost respect for the Jewish faith and we should never forget the events of the Holocaust.

A visit to to Auschwitz concentration camp was planned.

The Conservative Party did not take any action against Burley until it was reported that Burley was the one who had hired the Nazi costume.

He was then removed from his post as parliamentary private secretary to the transport secretary, Justine Greening.

"Aidan Burley has behaved in a manner which is offensive and foolish," The Guardian quoted a Tory spokesman as saying.

"That is why he is being removed from his post as parliamentary private secretary at the Department for Transport. In light of information received, the prime minister has asked for a fuller investigation into the matter to be set up and to report to him."

Labour MP John Woodcock said that because David Cameron "dithered for a week before taking action", people will rightly conclude that his main concern was avoiding negative publicity.